No free parking at new library

PUBLISHED: 11:31 09 April 2009 | UPDATED: 07:12 30 May 2010

PARKING for users of Great Dunmow s new library will not be free when the new facility opens at the start of summer. Currently the old library on North Street has free parking for visitors but when it closes users will have to pay regular town centre fees

PARKING for users of Great Dunmow's new library will not be free when the new facility opens at the start of summer.

Currently the old library on North Street has free parking for visitors but when it closes users will have to pay regular town centre fees at White Street car park adjacent to the new library, money which is then collected by Uttlesford District Council.

Essex County Council libraries officer, Jenny Salisbury, has defended the situation saying that a change in visiting mentality will mean that the car parking price will not affect people negatively.

She said: "It will be more inconvenient for a few but the majority of people will actually benefit from the new location.

"Parking for half an hour is only 30p and we think that people using the library can do so regularly has part of a usual town centre visit.

"There are also bus stops located a lot closer to the town centre and people can use public transport to get to and from the library."

Mrs Salisbury added that there is currently no plan to introduce a special ticket system because it will not be needed.

"It is a case of swings and roundabouts," she said. "Although some people will have to change their routine a bit, most users would have to pay to come in to town anyway. So the cost of visiting the library will actually have no affect at all."

The move has not been welcomed by everyone. A current library user from Dunmow, who did not wish to be named, is still upset at having to pay for car parking.

He said: "I do not see why they can not have a ticket system to make parking free for library users like myself.

"I always go whenever it is open and I cannot wait for the new library to open its doors. But I will not be able to go everyday as I would like because it would cost too much."

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